www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I will be in Norfolk for a family break in the last week in May, stopping at Burgh Castle near Great Yarmouth. The dates are set due to family and work circumstances so cannot be changed.

I will probably get the chance to have a couple of days butterflying during this time. I have realised that although this would be a good location to visit places like Strumpshaw, Catfield Fen etc, it is probably going to be a bit early for Swallowtails, though depending on the weather I may go anyway on the off chance.

Does anyone have any suggestions of any other sites within about an hour and a half driving distance that would be worth visiting for any other species.
I would be particularly interested in sites for Wall Brown. This is a species that used to be common where I grew up in the Midlands but is no longer seen there and I have yet to see one since renewing my interest.

Cheers,

Neil F.

This is a great site for Norfolk. I don't know if it helps at all. http://www.norfolkbutterflies.co.uk/species.shtml

MInsmere RSPB reserve might be worth a look.

I might bump into you, I'm on The Broads the last week in May with friends, hoping for an early Swallowtail.

Jo

I think end of May they are generally about but this year is now becoming not such an early year for some species so don't know about this year. I saw several last year at the end of May Bank Holiday weekend for the 3 hours of that weekend where it wasn't raining! They had been out a few weeks already then.

Thanks for the responses.

Jo thats a useful link with some good info, many thanks for that You never know, we may well bump into each other

FISHiEE, I remember last year, everything seemed to be out early, some species more than others. This year things are looking late if anything so far. I am assuming that would go for Swallowtails as well, whether there is time left to pull back on track I suppose remains to be seen.

Cheers,

Neil F.

We saw plenty of swallowtails on friday 13th may last year, yes early but even 2 weeks later this year you should be in with a good chance. Strumshaw is the safest bet down the track by the good doctors garden & the west entrance to reserve just past the garden. Last year because no other flowers were out the field bank beyond the garden had lots nectering on yellow flwrs (hawksbit I believe) Eric

I went to How Hill last year and there was quite a few there down by the river. Goldie M

Eric, Goldie, thanks for the replies.

It looks like I may still be in with a chance for early Swallowtails then.

I imagine it will all depend on the weather over the next couple of weeks.

Looking on the maps on Jo's link above, near to where I will be staying looks good for Wall Brown and also Green Hairstreak

Cheers,

Neil F.

I'm going to be in Norfolk for the first three days of June - really hoping that the Swallowtails are out by then. Hopefully we'll get a bit of warmth to encourage them out over the next couple of weeks.

The Strumpshaw Fen blog said the first Swallowtail of the year had been seen yesterday, so it certainly looks like you're in with a chance visiting during the last week in May

Yashca wrote:The Strumpshaw Fen blog said the first Swallowtail of the year had been seen yesterday, so it certainly looks like you're in with a chance visiting during the last week in May

woo hoo!